Columbus Blue Jackets Sign 2 2022 Draft Picks To Their Entry Level Contracts (12/1/22)

It's been a huge day for this franchise.  First, we have two big names back from that pesky Injury Reserve List, which has been too long all season.  Patrik Laine will return, but we're still unsure if he'll be in the lines tomorrow night, as he returns to his former home arena when the Blue Jackets play the Winnipeg Jets. Just a reminder, with them being in Canada, this game starts at 8:00 PM.  Elvis Merzlikins will also be back, but again nothing has been mentioned anywhere about if he'll see the net tomorrow evening. Regardless, it's great to see them both back!

The other great news is in the future, likely next season at the soonest, but who cares!  The Blue Jackets have signed two very impressive 2022 Draft Picks this afternoon.  First up was Luca Del Bel Belluz.  He's playing his fourth season with the Mississauga Stealheads.  In his 21 games this season he's already scored 13 goals and 13 assists, putting him at 26 points this season so far.  This leads to one question, why wouldn't you sign this draft pick?  Thankfully, we don't have to ask that because he's inked a three-year deal with us today!  In addition, he also wears an "A" for his OHL Team.  So, not only did we draft a young player who can score, he can lead as well.  Well done, Jarmo.

Reminder:  Del Bel Belluz is a Cender and we drafted him in the second round, number 44 overall.  His stats can be found here< Luca Del Bel Belluz - Elite Prospects

Our second signing today is just as impressive.  James Malatesta (yes, John Malatesta son) has also been signed to his own three-year deal!  This is his third season with the Quebec Remparts.  In just 23 games this season he's had 19 goals and 11 assists for 30 points.  The numbers alone explain why this contract wasn't delayed another day either!  

Reminder: Malatesta is a Left Winger or Center (nice bonus he can flip) and was taken in the fifth round of this year's 2022 draft, number 133 overall.  (With his season this year I'm thrilled we drafted him because with such performance, that would've been a hefty trade to get him.)  His stats can be found here< James Malatesta - Elite Prospects  

Congratulations to both guys on becoming official Blue Jackets today!  I watched both play and truly can't wait to see what spice their talents add to this franchise and/or the Cleveland Monsters.  This is an exciting day, no doubt.  

Go CBJ!         

     

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What the Ranger's Elimination From the 2024 NHL Playoffs Means for the Columbus Blue Jackets Acquired 2026 Draft Pick

It's been an interesting 2024 NHL Playoffs already. This was captivating by watching the divide among the 5th Line fans who chose to watch the playoffs and cheer on former Blue Jackets. As the Eastern Conference Final was set, we saw Sergei Bobrovsky on one end of the ice as a Florida Panther. On the other end of the ice, representing the New York Rangers, stood three former Jackets, Artemi Panarin, Alexander Wennberg, and Jack Roslovic. Due to the final player I listed with the New York Rangers end of the ice, this playoff series had implications for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Trade the organization did, sending Jack Roslovic to the New York Rangers, was for a conditional Fourth Round Draft Pick in the future 2026 NHL Draft. The condition to this pick was that if the Rangers advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup Final 2024, the Draft pick would increase to the third round. With the Florida Panthers eliminating the New York Rangers tonight in Game 6 (the final was 2-1), The B
Read more

Brenden Gaunce, Nick Blankenburg, and Jake Bean Sign NHL Deals Away From Columbus Blue Jackets

The 2024 Trade Deadline gives and takes away every season. Today, the Columbus Blue Jackets signed Sean Monahan to a deal that will last five years and give him a 5.5 Million AAV. This was the brighter side of the day as several Columbus Blue Jackets and Cleveland Monsters players signed elsewhere, including a favorite of mine.  The 30-year-old Center, Brenden Gaunce, left us to join the Minnesota Wild. He agreed to a deal that will go through the 2025-26 NHL Season. He was in Columbus last season for 24 games and had 4 points with an even 2 goals and 2 assists. I have yet to see what his contract is valued at, but nevertheless, I wish him good luck with the Wild.  Jake Bean had the 5th Line divided. Some saw value in him staying, while others wanted him traded months ago. He wasn't traded today but signed to become a Calgary Flame. This contract will take him through the 2025-26 NHL Season like Brenden Gaunce. It'll pay him roughly 1.75 million each season. Appearing in 72 gam
Read more

Rest in Peace, Johnny and Mathew Gaudreau- Part One

I've learned something over the roughly two and a half weeks since we lost Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Mathew; I will never be ready to write this blog. I've been avoiding this because my words seem hollow and empty to me; like anything I could say would be redundant and not enough. August 29th, 2024 will forever be burned into my brain alongside July 4th, 2021, the date we lost goaltender, Matiss Kivlenieks, in a firework accident when he used himself to shield others. To say this franchise and its fans have suffered too many tragedies since I started covering the team in May 2020 is an understatement. When we lost 'Kivi' I never imagined doing this again, but I am, and I won't lie to you because I never have; I hate that I have to do this again. My heart is shattered, especially for the Gaudreau family, and I don't think I'll ever find all the pieces. The hockey community will forever be changed by this tragedy. None of us want to accept that this nig
Read more